In quitting smoking, as in breaking any addiction, sustained motivation is key. There are many different reasons why people attempt to quit smoking. By identifying which is the most important reason for you personally, you will have a clearer vision of exactly why you want to be smoke-free, and that vision can help sustain you when that one more cigarette looks so inviting. Here are 5 of the most common reasons cited for deciding to quit smoking.
Reason 1: I want to protect myself from the health risks associated with smoking.
Reason 2: I want to protect my family and friends from the danger of second-hand smoke.
Reason 3: Smoking is putting me and/or my family at risk financially due to the cost of cigarettes.
Reason 4: I want to have fresher breath, whiter teeth, and in general feel healthier.
Reason 5: I’m pregnant, and I want to protect the health of my unborn child.
So which of these, or indeed another reason altogether, is your key motivating reason for quitting smoking? Write it down, imagine your life when that is realised, and good luck!
And keep in mind, these are all great reasons to encourage others not to take up smoking at all. As Bill Nighy, one of my favourite actors, has remarked: “One of the great regrets of my life is that I smoked. If I could say anything to anybody starting out in life it would be, “Whatever you do, don’t smoke”.”